Derek’s blog

Derek’s Blog, launched in 2003, serves as a platform for sharing thoughts and reflections related to his work. It offers over 20 years of searchable posts, categorized by the tags below. Feel free to comment, as your feedback contributes to ongoing reflection and future posts.

Pedagogy

Interactive Whiteboards – balancing the debate

November 5, 2006

The debate around the use of interactive whiteboards is one that appears to polarize educators wherever i go – people either love them or loathe them. A couple of posts […]

More on MLEs and PLEs

November 4, 2006

Click image to enlarge After receiving feedback on the previous posting I did about my thinking aroundthe relationship between a school’s Managed learning Environment (MLE) and a student’s Personal Learning […]

Encyclopodia

November 3, 2006

Here’s something new – Encyclopodia is a free software project that brings the Wikipedia, which is one of the largest encyclopedias in the world, to the Apple iPod. Encyclopodia can […]

conference entry

WikiWhileYouWork

November 2, 2006

I’ve just been browsing through some of the presentations made to the recent K12 Online Conference – this site is a must for anyone wanting to learn more about new […]

K12 Open Technologies

November 1, 2006

I’ve just been browsing the new CoSN K-12 Open Technologies Leadership Initiative. The initiative is sponsored by Apple, IBM and the Wm. & Flora Hewlett Foundation to support the adoption […]

research and papers

Horizon Report

October 31, 2006

I’ve just been skyping my colleague Derek Chirnside who alerted me to the release of the Horizon Report for 2006, the third editon of this annual report which is a […]

School 2.0

October 29, 2006

Jonathan alerted me to the release of part three of Back to School with the Class of Web2.0, and draws attention to some of the things he found of interest. […]

Skills for the Web2.0 World

October 29, 2006

I’ve been participating in an online course over the past few weeks with a group of teachers who are sharing experiences and exploring ideas around the use of new technologies […]

Yet another LMS

October 28, 2006

I spent all of last week in Wellington, two days of which were spent exploring implementations of the e-Framework. The group included information architects from the Ministry of Education in […]

Sloodle – Second Life meets Moodle

October 28, 2006

I had my first real look at Second Life earlier this year, and was impressed with the relative ease with which a 3D environment could be created as a context […]

Diary entry

Building a Brighter Future

October 26, 2006

I’ve just received an upate from the GVN team about progress with the orphanage in Nepal that was built from the funds raised from the trek I participated in a […]

Google tools for educators

October 25, 2006

Google have recently released their Google for Educators site, containing links to 12 of its web-based applications, along with information about how they can be used to support education. No […]

Diary entry

Should all learning professionals be blogging?

October 23, 2006

The Learning Circuits Blog has posted a Big Question for October which is “Should all learning professionals be blogging?”. This question caught my eye (and imagination) as it seems to […]

PLEs and MLEs

October 22, 2006

Click image for full sized graphic Several posts have been made this week about personal learning environments which led me to post my most recent attempt to diagram the way […]

Reading List

October 22, 2006

Here’s a great site I came across this afternoon – Shelfari – allows you to create your own “virtual bookshelf”of books you are reading or have read, linking you with […]

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research and papers

Open Source Software in Education

October 20, 2006

The latest edition of Innovate is now online – this edition the contributors explore, assess, and illustrate the potential of open source software and related trends to transform educational practice. […]

Back to School with Web2.0

October 19, 2006

From time to time I blog about a new application or product that is available on the web that is part of the family of products under the “Web2.0” label. […]

TryScience.org

October 16, 2006

I had the opportunity to attend a part of hte IBM conference here in Christchurch last week, and was introduced to some of the education projects that IBM has been […]

Diary entry

Women of Web 2.0

October 15, 2006

Here’s an interesting initiative started by four women from various parts of North America called Women of Web 2.0. According to their site; “Women of Web 2.0 is for all […]

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Is Windows near the end of its run?

October 15, 2006

Windows Vista and Office 2007, according to industry analysts, may be the last time Microsoft can really cash in on these lucrative personal computer products, as software is increasingly distributed, […]

Please get in touch to discuss your plans. FutureMakers is an approved provider of Ministry-funded, regionally allocated professional development (RAPLD). Search for Derek Wenmoth on the MoE website’s provider list when making an application.

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek - to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College